Arkansas RB Williams to miss extended time with injury

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema says running back Jonathan Williams will miss the regular season with the left foot injury he suffered during a scrimmage on Saturday.

Williams does have a redshirt year available to him, but Bielema stated he doesn’t believe the injury would significantly effect Williams’ NFL draft stock, and unless that takes a serious tumble, he expects Williams to turn pro.

Bielema said he “reached out” to various NFL contacts Sunday night and Monday “and the overwhelming result was that this is an injury that is very capable of coming back 100 percent full strong better than ever”. “For some of the younger guys that haven’t been part of much winning, it could be a new thing to them, but I think this whole team has the same mindset that we’re excited about the season”. “There are short- and long-term impacts of how he proceeds and we want to make sure he does what’s best for him and his family and his career beyond Arkansas”, Bielema said.

Jonathan Williams had 11 carries for 66 yards during an Arkansas scrimmage on Saturday, including a 36-yard run.

Apparently it’s a bigger price compared to to start off expected because Williams’ health problems entails surgery and he’ll be out for “an amount of time of their time within the 2015 season”. He also had briefly considered leaving school early to declare for the draft last year but decided to return for his senior season. He has 2,321 career rushing yards, 10th most in program history.

Junior Alex Collins will become the No. 1 with Williams’ injury. On the surface, it would appear that Collins’ touches will increase while freshman Rawleigh Williams and senior Kody Walker could take up some of the slack.